The Los Angeles Dodgers trade for Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly

On Friday, the Los Angeles Dodgers made strategic moves to bolster their depleted rotation by bringing in seasoned pitcher Lance Lynn. They also reunited with a well-known figure, Joe Kelly, who will reinforce their bullpen. These acquisitions were formally announced by both teams involved.

In return, the Chicago White Sox gained outfielder Trayce Thompson, who initially entered the league under their banner in 2009. Additionally, the White Sox received minor league starter Nick Nastrini and minor league reliever Jordan Leasure as part of the deal.

Adding to the Dodgers' recent acquisitions this week, Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly now stand alongside shortstop Amed Rosario and utilityman Enrique Hernandez. Notably, all four of these players could become free agents at the end of the current season. Lynn and Kelly each hold club options for the following year and are collectively earning $27.5 million in 2023.

At 36 years old, Lance Lynn has encountered significant challenges during the second year of a two-year extension he secured with the White Sox in July 2021. This difficult stretch has seen him register a 6.47 ERA across 119⅔ innings, while also conceding a league-high 28 home runs. Despite these struggles, Lynn agreed to waive his no-trade clause to embrace the move to Los Angeles.

Brandon Gomes, the Dodgers' general manager, noted that beyond the statistics tied to batted balls, Lynn's fundamental performance remains largely consistent with his past performance. Gomes expressed excitement about the prospects of refining Lynn's pitch usage, taking advantage of the Dodgers' pitching resources, and creating a supportive team environment.

Joe Kelly, who was a beloved figure among fans during the 2020 Dodgers championship-winning season that was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, has delivered a 4.97 ERA across 29 innings this season. In this time, he has managed to strike out 41 batters while issuing 12 walks. However, the 35-year-old right-handed pitcher has encountered two spells on the injured list during this season due to a groin strain and elbow inflammation.

According to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, the people of Los Angeles are familiar with Joe Kelly, and he contends that Kelly's skill set has actually improved since his previous tenure with the team. Roberts highlighted enhancements in Kelly's velocity, curveball, and overall performance. He further added that Kelly, like many players, tends to excel in a winning team environment. Roberts also acknowledged that Kelly had faced periods of being on and off the injured list.

The Dodgers found themselves in a situation at the beginning of the week where they were in dire need of starting pitching. Despite Lance Lynn's less-than-stellar statistics, the Dodgers actively pursued him and were among the most assertive contenders for his acquisition. Even though the Dodgers currently lead the National League West and maintain a strong record of 15 games above .500, they have managed to succeed despite challenges within their pitching rotation.

Throughout this year, Julio Urias has experienced fluctuating performance, Clayton Kershaw is presently sidelined with an injury, Dustin May's season has come to an end, Walker Buehler continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery, and Noah Syndergaard struggled notably prior to his transfer to the Cleveland Guardians in the trade involving Amed Rosario. Consequently, rookie pitchers Emmet Sheehan, Bobby Miller, and Michael Grove have taken on a more substantial workload than initially anticipated by the Dodgers.

The bullpen also posed challenges in the earlier part of the season; however, Dodgers relievers have notably achieved the best ERA in the major leagues this month, standing at 2.67. This accomplishment has been attributed to strong performances from pitchers like Caleb Ferguson, Ryan Brasier, Phil Bickford, Yency Almonte, and Brusdar Graterol, who have demonstrated their effectiveness late in games.

Through the acquisitions of Lance Lynn, Joe Kelly, Amed Rosario, and Enrique Hernandez, the Dodgers have added four seasoned players to their roster, despite their comparatively subdued performances this season. It's important to note that Rosario and Hernandez will be utilized in various positions around the middle infield, deviating from their primary roles as shortstops in 2023.

All four of these players maintain confidence in their ability to elevate their performance levels within the context of the Dodgers' environment.

"I would contend that we've simultaneously elevated the lowest point and the highest potential," remarked Roberts. He elaborated, explaining that with the inclusion of Hernandez, there is a sense of familiarity and untapped potential that the team aims to exploit. Hernandez's strengths can be harnessed particularly against left-handed pitchers, leveraging his versatility on defense. Joe Kelly's return brings both familiarity and a cultural aspect that bolsters the team. Additionally, Lance Lynn's attributes such as sequencing and strikeout rates can contribute to a higher performance ceiling. Amed Rosario's commitment and athleticism are also key factors; he now holds the title of the fastest player on the Dodgers' roster, adding a valuable speed component and the ability to play multiple positions, which in turn enhances the team's capabilities against left-handed pitching.

In terms of Trayce Thompson, he achieved a batting average of .155 in the 36 games he played for the Dodgers this season, which is his second stint with the team. Notably, three of his five home runs this year were scored in his first game of the season on April 1 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Thompson has been sidelined due to a left oblique strain since June, and he had recently begun a rehabilitation assignment with the Dodgers' Arizona Complex League affiliate.

Despite playing in the relatively less competitive American League Central, the struggling White Sox find themselves with a record 22 games below the .500 mark and trailing by 13 games for the top spot. In response to their challenging situation, the team executed a trade with the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday, sending starter Lucas Giolito and reliever Reynaldo Lopez their way. This move is anticipated to be one among several as the White Sox look to offload more veteran players before the approaching trade deadline on Tuesday.

Previously, the White Sox had embarked on a rebuilding phase with the aspiration of solidifying their status as a formidable contender. Following a division title in 2021, their performance dipped, culminating in a .500 finish in the 2022 season. As the 2023 season, which also marks the inaugural season under rookie manager Pedro Grifol, reaches its conclusion, it could usher in yet another rebuilding cycle for the team based on the developments on the South Side.